Activism

Community Celebrates Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo – New Leader at the Regional Center of the East Bay

The event, hosted at the historic Glenview District estate of trailblazing educator Ida Louise Jackson, paid homage both to a legacy of excellence and to a bright future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

Published

7 months ago

August 25, 2025

Carla Thomas

At the historic Glenview District estate of trailblazing educator Ida Louise Jackson, Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo is warmly celebrated as the new executive director of the RCEB, Regional Center of the East Bay. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

In a heartfelt celebration of leadership, equity, and vision, community leaders and service providers gathered in Oakland on Sunday, Aug. 10 to welcome Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo as the new executive director of the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB).

Attending with her husband, Shon, and dressed proudly in a traditional Ugandan shirt in honor of her heritage, Nanyonjo was warmly received by friends, advocates, and colleagues. Known for her humility as much as her expertise, Nanyonjo took the time to connect with each guest personally.

“I am committed to providing quality healthcare and ensuring that clients and the community get the best of care and service,” she said, reaffirming her focus on equity, access, and dignity in care.

The reception’s presenters included an array of community leaders working in disability services and advocacy. Wendell James and Denise Bradley of Adult Educational Technologies; Monica and Jerry Montgomery of Golden State Residential Adult Programs; and Karen Birks of Monarchy Consulting Group all highlighted both the immense responsibility and the collective hope that comes with Nanyonjo’s new role.

Nanyonjo arrives at RCEB with more than two decades of leadership in public health. Most recently, she served as director of Public Health for Merced County, where she managed critical programs spanning emergency medical services, refugee health, environmental health, medical clinics, residency training, and vital supports for women, children, and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Her tenure was marked by an unwavering commitment to health equity and addressing the needs of underserved populations, values now at the heart of her new role.

As executive director, Nanyonjo takes the helm of RCEB, a nonprofit agency supporting thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan.

One of California’s 21 regional centers, RCEB operates with offices in San Leandro and Concord and manages an annual budget of $900 million, making it one of the largest employers in the region.

Through personalized planning and case management, the center assists individuals and families in accessing housing, healthcare, employment opportunities, education, and community integration supports that promote self-determination and quality of life.

Earlier in her career, Nanyonjo served as the Public Health program coordinator for the San Bernardino County Department of Health, as the senior Public Health director for Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Australia, managing clinical and occupational staff for 30 ships across three fleets.

Nanyonjo holds a doctorate in Public Health as well as master’s degrees in Public Health and Epidemiology and International Health from Loma Linda University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Riverside.

“We are confident her extensive expertise and passion for advancing equity will benefit the entire RCEB community,” said Frank Paré, president of RCEB’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Marcie Hodge, executive director of St. John’s Boys Home and the current steward of the historic estate where the reception was hosted, emphasized the significance of the leadership transition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nanyonjo during this important and challenging time,” Hodge said. “Her experience, vision, and dedication to improving the lives of people with developmental disabilities will be instrumental as we navigate the evolving needs of our community.”

Throughout the evening, the atmosphere was filled with joy and anticipation. Oakland NAACP President Cynthia Adams captured the collective sentiment simply: “We are excited for the community.”

RCEB will host job fairs on August 25 at their Concord location and August 27 at their San Leandro location.
For more information visit www.rceb.org

The Post will continue to highlight the organization’s regional services and contributions.

RCEB is a private non-profit corporation under contract with the California Department of Developmental Services. RCEB works in partnership with many individuals and agencies to plan and coordinate services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, family members, and community leaders in the Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Office locations include the
RCEB Main Office, San Leandro, CA
Creekside Plaza
500 Davis St., Suite 100
San Leandro, CA 94577
Main Line (510) 618-6100
Fax: (510) 678-4100
Videophone: (510) 394-1835
Over 3 Intake Referral Line: (510) 618-6122
Early Intervention Referral Line (510) 618-6195

RCEB Concord Office
1320 Willow Pass Road, Suite 300
Concord, CA 94520
Main Line (925) 691-2300
Fax: (925) 674-8001
Videophone: (866) 460-4535

Carla Thomas

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

Published

1 week ago

March 1, 2026

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

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Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.